Baby friendly is best for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hospitals are now the most baby friendly in the UK after three more were awarded the prestigious UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Award.
The initiative works with public services to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and to strengthen mother-baby and family relationships. Support for these relationships is important for all babies, not only those who are breastfed.
Causeway Hospital, Craigavon Area Hospital and the Ulster Hospital have joined six other maternity units here in achieving the prestigious international accolade. It means that 93% of births in Northern Ireland take place in a UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) BFI hospital – the highest rate of any region of the UK.
The award has been given to the three hospitals after an assessment by a UNICEF team found that best practice standards are in place.
The scheme is particularly important as breastfeeding rates are lower in Northern Ireland than other parts of the UK. Around 64% of mothers here start breastfeeding, compared with 83% in England, 74% in Scotland and 71% in Wales. That figure falls to 33% breastfeeding at six weeks and 16% at six months.
Janet Calvert, Regional Breastfeeding Lead for the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “We decided to join forces with UNICEF UK's Baby Friendly Initiative as part of a strategy to increase breastfeeding rates and to improve care for all mothers throughout Northern Ireland.
"Breastfeeding can help protect babies against a wide range of serious illnesses including gastroenteritis and respiratory infections in infancy as well as asthma, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in later life. We also know that breastfeeding can reduce the mother’s risk of some cancers. Mums might also be interested in hearing that breastfeeding can also be so rewarding, and often easier particular at night and when travelling.
“However a mother chooses to feed her baby, in a Baby Friendly maternity service she will be supported to form a strong loving relationship with her newborn, through enjoying skin-to-skin contact and understanding how her baby communicates with her. We are not complacent as we recognise that we have much more to do, nevertheless these awards recognise the real improvements that have been made through the hard work and commitment of staff.”
The Baby Friendly Initiative, set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, is a global programme which provides a practical and effective way for health services to improve the care provided for all mothers and babies.
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Programme Director Sue Ashmore said: "We are delighted that these three hospitals have achieved full Baby Friendly status.
“Surveys show us that most mothers want to breastfeed but don’t always get the support they need. Mothers across Northern Ireland can be confident that maternity staff are trained and supported to provide high standards of care and support.”
For more information, advice and breastfeeding support, visit the Public Health Agency’s breastfeeding website at www.breastfedbabies.org
ENDS
Notes to editor
There are 15 hospitals and community sector organisations in Northern Ireland that have achieved UNICEF BFI full accreditation. They are:
- Altnagelvin Area Hospital (maternity)
- Antrim Area Hospital (maternity)
- Causeway Hospital (maternity)
- Craigavon Area Hospital (maternity)
- Lagan Valley Hospital (maternity)
- Mater Infirmorum Hospital (maternity)
- Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital (maternity)
- South West Acute Hospital (Erne) (maternity)
- Ulster Hospital (maternity)
- Armagh and Dungannon Locality SHSCT (community)
- Down and Lisburn Sector of South Eastern HSCT, with Colin Sure Start and Downpatrick Sure Start (community)
- North and West Belfast Sure Starts (community)
- Northern Sector of Western HSCT (community)
- South Eastern HSCT, North Down and Ards sector (community)
- Southern HSCT, Craigavon and Banbridge locality and Blossom Sure Start (community)